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The 99th annual Knights of Columbus State Convention closes May 7 with honors for, from left to right: State Deputy Jim Leccia, Knight of the Year Roger Mares, Shirley Mares, Diocesan Administrator Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, and Family of the Year Mindi and Jeff Allen.photo courtesy of Knights of Columbus

by John Wainscott

SNOWBIRD — The Knights of Columbus State officers, delegates, members, and their families converged on Snowbird, Utah, from May 5 to May 7, for their 99th annual meeting. The convention opened with an address from State Deputy Jim Leccia reviewing the progress on goals and thanking all Knights in Utah for their generosity in support of those in need.

Leccia showed a short video from Carl A. Anderson, leader of the 1.7 million-member national organization. Anderson focused on the new biography of Knights founder Fr. Michael J. McGivney, and the book, "By Their Works," that profiles of men of faith who made a difference. The supreme knight talked about the Gulf States Disaster Relief activities. The total raised and donated by all of the Knights was $10 Million.

The Knights are expanding into Europe with new Councils in Poland. Anderson asked all Knights to support the Marriage Protection Amendment and write to their Senators to let them know that marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. He stated, "The order is strong and we have every reason to meet the future with confidence."

Ron Tessier, supreme director from North Dakota and his wife Marcie, with John Wainscott, supreme director from Utah and his wife Linda, represented the supreme council from New Haven, Conn. at the convention. In his remarks at the banquet on Saturday night, Tessier spoke of the Fr. McGivney, and his holiness. The new book on our founder, "Parish Priest," spent seven weeks on the New York Times extended best seller list. Tessier also talked about Pope Benedict’s first encyclical ("Deus Caritas Est") that indicates expressions of love are natural expressions of our Catholic faith. The Holy Father teaches lessons about love that resonate powerfully among Knights.

In closing, Tessier stated that "Fr. McGivney and the handful of the original founders of the Knights of Columbus would be proud that Knights and their families are still united in faith and charity making tremendous contributions to the church and to society in general. We can be proud but have much yet to do. Together, with God’s help, we will continue to bring His light to the world."

Diocesan Administrator Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald spoke of the Good Shepherd and how each of us fills that role. He thanked the Knights for continuous focus on vocations to the religious life and the priesthood. He was very happy that four seminarians will be ordained priests May 18. Msgr. Fitzgerald reviewed the status of the diocese, founded in 1891, with our continuous growth and the status of the new parish in Riverton. He also reminded us that not long ago there were eight or nine Knights councils in the diocese. Now there are 28 active councils plus several round tables. He praised the manner in which the Knights’ presence strengthens the parishes we support, especially in Southern Utah. He spoke of the Fr. Michael J. McGivney Hall being added to the seminary at Mount Angel, in Oregon, and wondered why we do not have a Father McGivney Council.

State Secretary Chuck Dover then presented Msgr. Fitzgerald with two checks: one for $3,375 for Vocations raised by the councils, and another for $2,688 for Pro-Life from "One Rose, One Life" activities in the parishes.

Other financial support provided by the Knights includes:

• Support of seminarians, with $6,500 sent by Knights directly to the seminarians.

• State Deputy Jim Leccia presented J.D. Onelly, president and CEO of the Special Olympics, with a donation of $1,150.

• The Knights sent $16,000 to the Carmelite Nuns to help offset the roof and furnace repairs needed in March 2006.

The Utah State Council and all members of the Knights of Columbus in Utah congratulated four men for 50 years of continuous service to the Knights. They are: Louis B. Bonomo of Council 777 in Ogden, Frederick S Rakosky of Council 777 in Ogden, Rev. Leander Dosch in Huntsville, and James B. Maher in Salt Lake.

The Knights recognized Msgr. Fitzgerald, State Chaplain Fr. James McHugh, Deputy State Chaplain Fr. James Blaine, Fr. Rob Moriarty, Fr. Thomas Kaiser, Fr. Shouraiah Pudota, and Deacon Silvio Mayo for their words of wisdom at our convention.

At the convention banquet that Saturday evening, the Annual Activities Awards for 2005-2006 were presented:

Council Activity Award – Corpus Christi Council 6966 in Sandy, Roger Mares, Grand Knight; Church Activity Award – Corpus Christi Council 6966 in Sandy, Roger Mares, Grand Knight; Community Activity Award – Mother Teresa of Calcutta Council 12181, Draper, Joe Trujillo, Grand Knight; Youth Activity Award – St. Vincent’s Council 13297 in Holladay, Art Grant, Grand Knight; Family Activity Award – St. Olaf’s Council 5502 in Bountiful, Luigi Calicchia, Grand Knight; Family of the Year – Jeff and Mindi Allen Family of Council 13297; Knight of the Year – Roger Mares of Council 6966;

State Deputy Leccia, in closing the convention, said, "Let us continue to work together, fulfilling the dream of Fr. McGivney, under the light of Christ."